Monday, February 7, 2011

He made some amazing progress yesterday and was totally awake for 1 hour.

Although he could not talk because he had the breathing tube in, he nodded yes and no to our simple questions,
and opened his eyes wide and blinked. He was truly communicating with me and my brother Tom tonight.

I want to share with you all, some of the caring compassionate individuals

that have been taking care of Dad.

Austin has been the Nurse Assistant in the MICU quite often during the past 8 days.

Casey was Dad's 7am - 7pm nurse on Sunday, Feb 6, 2011

Rachel was Dad's 7pm - 7am Nurse on Sunday evening, Feb 6-7, 2011

Rachel had such a sweet way about her and I was thrilled that she got to see dad in his 1 hour wakeful period. She was so gentle with him

Meet Bob....he has been Dad's nurse quite often during the the 7am - 7pm shifts.

I love the way he talks to dad in a very casual every day manner. And he tells dad everything

that he is doing...Bob has a very easy way about him.

Say Hello to Mary, dad 's nurse on February 14th....such a sweet lady.
I have to say...that ever since dad has been at Lahey in Burlington (starting January 30, 2011), all of his caregivers have been wonderful. I can;t say enough good things about them. And they have all been so friendly to us all and keep us informed of all his success and improvements.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Today I spent about 3 1/2 hours with Dad at Lahey. I watched while he peacefully slept, listen to his rhythmic breathing, and watched as he moved his legs and his arms with purpose. I did some knitting, watched TV and talked to Dad a bit. I am hopeful that he heard me, as he seemed to blink while i spoke and moved his mouth open a bit as to try and talk.

I am very very Thankful for the Nurses who are in the MICU taking care of Dad 24/7. Today, Gilberto was dad's RN until 7:00pm. We chatted a bit....what a nice guy and so full of compassion. Gilberto was so gentle with dad has he took care of him.

On Wednesday, January 26, my dad was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of possible heart problems. After two days stay at Beverly Hospital and getting the clearing that his heart was fine, a CAT scan on Friday discovered that he had a stroke. I went to see him after work on Friday, chatted and left when his dinner came. Then next time I saw him on Sunday morning, he had slipped into a state of unconsciousness. Another CAT Scan discovered that there was a bleed in the area of the stroke, the brain stem, which was causing swelling and a build up of fluid. My Family, even mom, gathered at Beverly Hospital to be with dad, until they transported him to Lahey in Burlington. Once at Burlington in the MICU, the Neurosurgeon put a tube in his brain to release the fluid. Dad was put on a ventilator to help with his breathing and the Doctors, Nurses, and Aids have been monitor is vitals and progress hour by hour.

All five children have been visiting Dad regularly,,, talking to Dad, and hoping he is hearing us and is aware of our presence and encouragement to get well and wake up. We have been having some snowy weather but my 4x4 Jeep and I have made it to Lahey every day to spend time with Daddy and talk to him...I see him move his legs..a lot, move his arms, take commands from the Drs...(wiggle toes, raise two fingers), I am starting to see his eyes open slightly and he is blinking..hopefully to my questions to him. I know that Dad is in there and trying really hard to get well and get strong.

The Astolfi children and grandchildren are all here for Dad....and we love him. Through this difficult time I have been taking some photos of our environment as we make our visits to the MICU at Lahey in Burlington MA.

Granddaughter Allie making a knitted bracelet on the Knitting Knobbie in the MICU waiting room

on Sunday evening, January 30, 2011

Sunday Evening at the MICU...Bill sleeps and Allie knits while waiting as the neurosurgeon
performs a procedure on Dad.

The parking garage at Lahey Burlington that I am becoming very familiar with.

Allie working on a puzzle in the MICU waiting room, while the nurses are doing the shift change

Friday, February 4th - 7pm - 8pm

My brother Dave, working on the puzzle with Allie, as Cathy (Dave's wife looks on)